The Drive-By Heard ‘Round Grove Street: Unpacking Beverly Johnson’s Tragic Fate in San Andreas
Grove Street used to feel like home. But everything changed. The moment Los Santos spiraled into chaos? It was Beverly Johnson’s death. She was Carl “CJ” Johnson’s mom. This event triggered turf wars, alliances, and drama. It’s the key to understanding the San Andreas saga.
Behind the Order: Unmasking the Puppet Masters
Who ordered the hit? It was not random violence. The C.R.A.S.H. officers, Tenpenny and Pulaski, orchestrated it. They thrived on manipulation. Think of them as puppet masters. Planning to eliminate Sweet, CJ’s brother, they hoped to maintain control. Corrupt cops ordering hits is just another Tuesday here.
Green Sabres of Doom: The Hitmen on Wheels
Orders were given. Someone needed to act. Enter the Ballas. They are Grove Street’s rivals and perfect for this grim task. Leveraging connections, Tenpenny and Pulaski sent these gangbangers after the Johnsons. Their weapon? A green Sabre. Picture a menacing vehicle driven by poor shots, ready to create chaos.
Sweet Misdirection: Wrong Johnson, Wrong Time
Here’s where it gets tragic. The target was Sweet, the loud leader of the Grove Street Families. Tenpenny and Pulaski wanted to weaken Grove Street. The Ballas attacked the Johnson home, bullets flying, thinking Sweet was inside. Plot twist! Beverly was home instead. She became collateral damage.
Reasoning in the Chaos: Why Sweet? Why Now?
Why target Sweet? Tenpenny and Pulaski viewed him as a threat. By removing Sweet, they aimed to break Grove Street’s power. This classic move sought to weaken their influence and tighten their control. But they failed. They created a martyr. This led to CJ’s explosive return.
The Domino Effect: A Mother’s Death Sparks a Game’s Worth of Mayhem
Beverly’s death reshaped the game. It pulled CJ back to Los Santos after years in Liberty City. Her murder reunited him with family and pushed him into gang warfare. This sets him on a path toward Tenpenny and Pulaski. It’s as if San Andreas welcomed him home in the worst way. Without her death, no CJ, no revival of Grove Street, and far less chaos. Beverly’s death ignited the entire San Andreas inferno. This moment is a cornerstone of one of gaming’s iconic stories.